The Bandit Queens (92)

Saloni’s hand gestured from Geeta’s head to her feet. “All this for a blind asshole?”

“It’s for me. What, I’m not allowed to look nice? You and the twins were the ones who said I was a disaster.”

Saloni craned her neck to peer inside. Geeta’s desk was gone, replaced by the charpoy. “Is that jackass sleeping in here? With you?”

“Only since it’s gotten colder.”

“Where’s your desk?”

“Everything is fine. It’s different this time, trust me,” Geeta said, still standing in the doorway. “Listen, sorry I missed the meeting. I’ll give you the money, but I may as well tell you now: I don’t need to be in the loan group anymore. Ramesh is working and he said he’d like to support my business. He’s trying to make amends so…”

“So…what?” Saloni echoed nastily.

“I’ll pay what I owe, and then I’ll be leaving the loan group.”

Farah asked, “Without the loans, how will you grow your business?”

“Ramesh will invest in the business, interest free. It makes far more sense than a loan.”

“Tell me you see it,” Saloni demanded. “He’s doing it again.”

Geeta’s denial was swift and adamant. Her hair swung as she shook her head. “Not true. He hasn’t touched me once. I didn’t want to believe it either, but I think he’s changed. He’s trying to make amends for what he did. And honestly, don’t I deserve to let him after what he did? I deserve his money, his apologies, all of it.”

Saloni ticked her fingers. “He’s isolating you again. He’s taking away your independence again. No meetings, no loans, no friends.”

“We don’t need the loan group to be friends! Hold on, let me get you the money.”

After she shut the door for privacy, Farah turned to Saloni. “See? We should’ve brought a gourd.”

Saloni tapped her foot in barely leashed anger. She vented at Farah rather than to her. “God, that chut works fast. I can’t believe he’s already got his hooks back in her. Now she’s leaving the loan group? It’s worse than I thought.”

Farah’s shoulders drew near her ears. “She seems happy?”

“Che! How can she just forgive him?”

“I mean, she forgave you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, you were friends and then you weren’t, but she gave you another chance. Why not him? What, you’re the only one worthy?”

It was an unwelcome aper?u. “Shut up.”

“Oi! Did you drag me here just to abuse me? I have better things to do, you know.”

“Your ugly-ass dresses can wait. We’re on a rescue mission here.”

Farah growled, “What’s your problem?”

Ramesh, herself. “You! You are my problem. You’re a loyal-less bitch and you picked on Geeta, trapping and blackmailing her.”

“I was just trying to protect myself. I made some bad choices, but I backed off, didn’t I?”

“And now she’s in deep fucking trouble and you’re too self-absorbed to help.”

“I’m self-absorbed? Ha! You’re mental, you know that? You ostracize Geeta for years, then the minute it looks like she might be moving on—making a new friend, reuniting with Ramesh—you get all crazy possessive.”

“Listen, I’ve known that woman longer than I’ve known myself. I’m allowed,” Saloni said, stabbing her own chest. With the same finger, she jabbed Farah. “And you’re not her friend. You’re not a bonobo.”

Farah swatted Saloni’s hand away. “Why is everyone so obsessed with monkeys lately?” She exhaled vehemently, her nostrils bullish as she strove for calm. “Kabaddi, kabaddi, kabaddi…”

Saloni rolled her eyes. “Oh, shut—”

“If you tell me to shut up one more time, I’ll sew your lips shut. Maybe then you’d lose some weight.”

“You—”

Like children, they immediately quieted when Geeta opened the door, jewelry box in hand. “Get in here before you two draw blood.”

They stood in the middle of the room, between Geeta’s bed and Ramesh’s charpoy. Saloni wanted to ask if Geeta had slept with him. But for Farah’s presence, Geeta likely would’ve answered. Why had she thought bringing Farah was a good idea?

“I know you don’t understand why,” Geeta said, sitting on her cot as she opened the box. “But it’s my choice. We’re not back together or anything, I’m just letting him make amends. I’d’ve thought you’d be all for second chances.” Saloni ignored Farah’s smug smirk. “And, if I change my mind, I can always go to the panchayat.”

“Seriously?” Saloni stopped when she saw Geeta’s bemused expression. “What?”

“There was more—I thought—where…”

“What? What is it?”

“I had about nineteen thousand rupees in here. Now there’s less than seven.”

“Oh, that son of a fat bitch.” Saloni punched the air in ire. Yet, if this was what it took to awaken Geeta, then she was glad Ramesh was too stupid to cover his tracks.